"She's going to be just fine now, Dr. Crane," the nurse assured him a few minutes later, as she removed the trach tube. "She's still coming back to consciousness, of course, but she's out of danger."

"That's-that's amazing. Thank you, Anita," Niles said weakly, sinking into a chair as a wave of relief overwhelmed him.

"Let me know if anything changes," Anita said.

"I'm back, my love," Niles told Daphne when he was alone with her again. "I'm so glad you're going to be okay."

"Ni-les?"

Daphne's voice was raspy but distinct, and Niles had never felt so glad to hear it.

"I'm her, sweetheart," he said soothingly.

Her eyes opened and she turned her gaze to Niles with an alarmed look.

"Where-am-I?" she managed to say.

"Shh, don't try to talk," Niles comforted her, stroking her hair. "You're in the hospital, but you're safe. Just rest. There will be plenty of time to talk about this when you get better."

He squeezed Daphne's hand and smiled.

"I love you so much."

Daphne's release from the hospital was celebrated quietly. Because of the severity of the accident, and because she'd spent so many weeks prone in the hospital, recovery was slow.

Roles were reversed now; she was the patient while Jen, the physical therapist who'd been working with Martin in Daphne's absence, helped her regain her strength.

The toll of the accident was emotional, as well. Memories of the crash had slowly come back to Daphne, disturbing enough that she sought counseling until her fears (and the occasional nightmare) were replaced by new confidence. And of course, Niles, Martin, Frasier, and Roz were there to comfort and support her as well.

There was, of course, still the matter of the situation with Heather and the fight they'd had, but Niles silently decided to let her approach the topic, not wanting to push her after her traumatic experience.

But there was also a troubling development. While Daphne was her usual warm self with the other Crane men and with her friends, she was distant with him. She didn't even respond to his affectionate words and touches the way she used to, and had responded to his apologies with a sincere but strangely emotionless "thank you".

Is she still upset about what I said to her? Niles wondered one night when she'd pulled all too soon from his embrace. But I apologized and I've been trying to show her how much I love her. What more can I say or do?

Niles decided that the only thing to do was to continue to give Daphne time. She'd come around eventually...wouldn't she?

Then, the day after Jen declared her recovery complete, Daphne came to the Montana for the first time since the accident.

Niles' welcoming smile vanished as soon as it had come when he saw her expression.

"Daphne, what's wrong?" he asked in concern, leading her to the fainting couch. He sat beside her and waited for her to speak.

"There's no easy way to say this," she said in a shaky voice. "I contacted the employment agency and found a new job in Portland. I start in three days."

Niles felt like he'd been hit by a truck.

"Why?"

"I didn't want to deal with this while I was recovering," Daphne said, sounding as if she was holding back tears. "But I'm better now, and ready to move on."

"D-Daphne, what are you talking about?" Niles asked, trying to still a rising sense of panic.

Her next words were resolute.

"I can't take care of your father and brother and act as if everything's normal, when I'm almost guaranteed to see you on any day. You said you didn't love me anymore and that we're done. And I wouldn't blame you after what I did. I just figured it's better we make a clean break."

Time seemed to stand still as Niles tried to process Daphne's words.

"I've told you before, I didn't mean what I said," Niles insisted. "I still love you. The thought of losing you was excruciating. It would have been like losing a piece of myself. I don't want it to be over."

"It has to be this way," Daphne said, dropping her gaze. "I know you're only saying that because you feel sorry for what I had to go through."

"Daphne, no. I was an idiot to send you away. I know I hurt you, but if you give me another chance..."

"Niles, please. Just let me do this. Someday, you'll stop feeling like you have to make up for what you said to me, that you have to be gentle to me after the accident. Things couldn't be the same after that. I don't know if we could even go back to the friendship we had, at least not in the same way."

"Don't go," Niles pleaded. "We can fix this. Maybe it will take time, but our love can see us through anything."

But his plea went unheeded.

"I wish nothing but the best for you, I really do," Daphne said with finality. "And I want to assure you that nothing that happened to me was your fault. Just...enjoy your life."

She rose from the fainting couch and in a few quick strides was at the door. Niles knew there was no changing her mind now. But he had to know one thing before she left.

"Daphne, don't you love me at all?"

She paused with her hand on the door. She didn't look back, but Niles saw her head bow as if in defeat.

"Of course I love you. That's why I have to do this."

And then she was gone.

A/N: The scene set in the Montana is loosely based on/inspired by a chapter in The Blue Castle by L.M Montgomery.